Phu Quoc emerges as new trending destination among Koreans
Phu Quoc island in the southern province of Kien Giang has emerged as a new trending destination, spurred by the introduction of new air routes by Korean Air.
A bird's-eye view of An Thoi town in Phu Quoc. (Photo: VNA)
Seoul (VNA) – Phu Quoc island in the southern province of Kien Giang has emerged as a new trendingdestination, spurred by the introduction ofnew air routes by Korean Air.
Despite a shorter Lunar New Year holidays from February9-12, major Korean travel companies such as Hana Tour, Very Good Travel andKyowon Tour Travel Easy on January 17 reported a remarkable annual surge in tour bookings, averagingaround 50%.
Hana Tour revealed a substantial 48% increase in overseas travelbookings during the holidays, demonstrating the highest growth in Southeast Asiaat 57%, followed by Japan at 25%, Europe 6%, South Pacific 6%, and China 5%.This underscores a discernible customer preference for destinations withshorter distances.
Breakingdown the data by regiꦕon, the demand for travel to Vietnam and Japancollectively constituted over half of the bookings, with 27% heading to Vietnamand 25% ꦡto Japan.
Analysingholiday booking data, Kyowon Tour Travel Easy identified Japan as having thehighest proportion of reservations, accounting for 20.8% of the total. Vietnamsecured the second position with a share of 11.7%. Very GoodTravel anticipated a booking growth of more than 10%. Among all internationaltravel bookings, Southeast Asia took the lead with the highest share at 37.2%,followed by Japan at 29.1%, Europe 11.2%, Oceania 8.1%, and China 6.4%. Accordingto its data, newly emerging tourist destinations gaining popularity amongtravellers include Siem Reap in Cambodia, Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Taichung inTaiwan (China), and Matsuyama in Japan. Renownedfor its long beaches with gleaming white sand nestled beside inviting turquoisewaters, Phu Quoc island received accolades from the American travel magazineCondé Nast Traveler (CN Traveler) as one of the world’s top islands in 2023,marking its second consecutive year on the prestigious list. Beyond itsstunning landscapes, Phu Quoc stands out as one of Vietnam's most alluringdestinations, offering a kaleidoscope of cultural-historical experiences and arange of accommodations, from affordable housing to luxurious resorts./.
If you are looking for a place to celebrate the New Year in Vietnam, Sunset Town (Phu Quoc) is certainly a top choice, with seven new amazing experiences, offering you memorable moments that you cannot find elsewhere.
In the first 11 months of 2023, more than 7.3 million tourists from the Republic of Korea (RoK) visited Vietnam, an increase of 220% compared to the same period last year, according to the RoK’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The US-based multinational news channel CNN has praised the newly opened Kiss Bridge on Phu Quoc Island, describing it as a new selfie hotspot where couples can share a romantic moment against the Vietnamese sunset.
2024 is expected to be a good year for Vietnam's tourism sector as positive signals have been seen in many destinations such as Phu Quoc, Tay Ninh and Da Nang right from the beginning of the year.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
A bird's-eye view of An Thoi town in Phu Quoc. (Photo: VNA) 
